Tag Archives: Books

Independent Bookshop Week 2024 Announces Ambassadors and Early Initiatives

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The Booksellers Association (BA) hasIndependent Bookshop Week 2024 Announces Ambassadors and Early Initiatives announced this year’s official campaign spokespeople and initial plans for Independent Bookshop Week (IBW), the annual celebration of independent bookshops across the UK and Ireland. It will take place between 15-22 June 2024 with Hachette UK returning as the headline sponsor.

This year, renowned broadcaster and author of Murder at the Monastery (6 June 2024), Rev Richard Coles, celebrated journalist and author of Everything is Everything: A Memoir of Love, Hate and Hope, Clive Myrie and award-winning novelist and author of In The Shadow of the Wolf Queen, Kiran Millwood Hargrave will be participating in IBW as official ambassadors. They will also be appearing at bookshop events all across the UK – with more details and venues to be revealed.

Independent Bookshop Week 2024 returns with a packed line-up of exciting initatives from the inaugural Big Book Club to the sixth year of High Five for Bookshops supported by National Book Tokens and many more.

EXCLUSIVE POEM

With the success of poems created by Brian Bilston, Hollie McNish and Dean Atta, critically acclaimed spoken word performer George Mpanga, known for his artistry as George the Poet, has created a bespoke Independent Bookshop Week poem to support the campaign. The poem will be shared on social media at 6pm on Wednesday 19 June.

HIGH FIVE FOR BOOKSHOPS

High Five for Bookshops, the successful national giveaway from National Book Tokens, is back for a sixth year. The giveaway supports indie bookshops across the UK and Ireland to reward their most loyal local customers.

Bookshops participating in Independent Bookshop Week each receive 100 vouchers with unique codes, which customers can use to claim a £5/€5 National Book Tokens e-Gift card to spend instore.

Since its launch, High Five has continued to grow year-on-year, with 92,000 vouchers sent to indies in 2023 – a 200% increase since 2019. The giveaway is a valuable, footfall-driving asset to the annual Independent Bookshop Week celebrations.

BIG BOOK CLUB

Launching this year, the Big Book Club strand of IBW will celebrate the role of indies in bringing people together via a shared love of reading. The Big Book Club will see indie bookshops across the UK and Ireland holding book club evenings on the same day, on Wednesday 19 June. Participating bookshops confirmed so far include: The Beckenham Bookshop, Booka Bookshop (Bridgnorth), Booka Bookshop (Oswestry), Book-ish (Abergavenny), Book-ish (Crickhowell), Hungerford Bookshop, Jaffé & Neale, The Mainstreet Trading Company, and Wantage Bookshop.

BOOKSHOP CRAWLS

All booklovers are once again invited to organise their own Bookshop Crawl to celebrate IBW. The Bookshop Map on the homepage of the Books Are My Bag website is a useful resource to find your closest local indies and plan your route.

INDIE TWINNING

With its success making it a firmly established strand of IBW, Indie Twinning returns for a fifth year, with independent publishers and independent bookshops teaming up to develop bespoke programmes of activity across the country. Look out for special offers, exclusives, social media take-overs, bespoke bookshop windows and much more.

GUEST BOOKSELLING

Authors, poets and illustrators are invited to get involved with IBW with Guest Bookselling. Allowing guest booksellers to learn more about a new side of the booktrade and supporting local indies, and an exciting opportunity for bookshop frequenters to have a chance encounter with authors, poets and illustrators, this is a win-win for all!

BOOKSHOP.ORG FREE SHIPPING

Bookshop.org, the online bookshop with a mission to support and celebrate indies in the UK, will again be offering free shipping on any purchases made on the website the last weekend of IBW, Saturday 22 and Sunday 23 June 2024.

Rev Richard Coles, said: “Booksellers around the market towns and cathedral cities of the UK have been so very genial and welcoming to me as I’ve spent many an enjoyable day visiting them to talk about Canon Daniel Clement, parish murders and dachshunds. I wouldn’t be in the wonderful position that I now find myself in – crime writer! – without their considerable efforts and support, so I am hugely grateful. It all began for me with an independent bookseller, The Oundle Bookshop, in Northamptonshire where, when I was 8 years old, my grandfather bought me my first proper book – The Complete Sherlock Holmes Short Stories – and without knowing it set me on this gilded path.”

Kiran Millwood Hargrave, said: “Independent bookshops are like treasure troves staffed by the most erudite and lovely dragons. Each knows their hoard inside out and I feel so lucky whenever I get to visit and ask for their recommendations, coming away with hidden gems and glittering storytelling riches. I love the high ceilings of Forum Books in Corbridge, the gorgeously-painted windows of Booka Bookshop, the pitch perfect curation at Porty Books and of course the dazzling array at my local, Mostly Books. But every shop I visit is distinct and precious, and offers an experience as unique as the people who run them – and that is what makes indie bookselling such a vibrant and vital part of the book world.”

Hazel Broadfoot, President of the Booksellers Association, said: “This is such a wonderful celebration of indie bookshops, and everything they bring to their local communities. Bookshops are not just about selling books – they connect people with books and authors – and each other! Independent Bookshop Week is an opportunity to shine a light on their hard work and creativity that brings so many cultural benefits to their high streets. In my bookshop, Village Books Dulwich, we have our planning under way – we’ll be joining in the fun and hosting lots of events for our customers of all ages to celebrate the power of books and reading.”

Emma Bradshaw, Head of Campaigns at the Booksellers Association, commented: “Independent Bookshop Week is one of the highlights in the book industry calendar. Throughout the week, we aim to celebrate not only the vital role the independent bookshops play in their local communities, but also the work of individual booksellers. We are thrilled to have the support of so many parts of the book trade; it’s a joy to see everyone brought together by the joy of books and a love for independent bookshops. This year’s programme of events, initiatives and exclusives is sure to be better than ever, and we’re very excited to kick off the celebrations in June!”

David Shelley, CEO Hachette UK, said: “We’re proud to continue our headline sponsorship of Independent Bookshop Week, an integral part of our happy and important partnership with the Booksellers Association. Independent bookshops are the beating heart of our industry, and this is the perfect opportunity to celebrate the vital work that they do, up and down the UK and Ireland, getting our author’s books into the hands of readers with such passion and dedication.”

Follow the latest developments via social media: #IndieBookshopWeek @BooksAreMyBag

One In Eight Children’s First Read is The Gruffalo.

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World Book Day is upon us and The Gruffalo a first read for 1 in 8 children.

The Gruffalo most popular first read for British children as nation prepares to celebrate World Book Day

  1. One in eight children have The Gruffalo read to them as their first book
  2. The Very Hungry Caterpillar and That’s Not My… series complete the top three
  3. 44% of parents read to children from birth
  4. However, those parents who were late to reading themselves could be stunting their own child’s progression

As the nation prepares to celebrate World Book Day on March 7, a new study has unveiled that The Gruffalo is the go-to book when it comes to reading to our children for the very first time.

The survey, commissioned by The Works, aimed to uncover reading habits among parents and children and whether our own experiences of reading influences how we read to our children, as well as the top books we read to children today.

And the results proved overwhelmingly favourable towards Julia Donaldson titles, with The Gruffalo taking the crown as the number one read book to children. Joining The Gruffalo among the most popular, but just outside the top 10 were the likes of Zog and Room on the Broom, meaning one in five children have a Donaldson book read to them as their very first story.

Donaldson books were joined by some old favourites, including The Very Hungry Caterpillar, which is still the second most read book to children as a first read despite being over 50-years-old, while the That’s Not My… series, written by Fiona Watt, is the third most common set of books read to children as their first reads.

The full top 10 first books parents read to their children:

  1. The Gruffalo
  2. The Very Hungry Caterpillar
  3. That’s Not My… 
  4. Guess How Much I Love You
  5. Peppa Pig
  6. Spot 
  7. The Tale of Peter Rabbit
  8. Dear Zoo
  9. Winnie the Pooh
  10. Harry Potter

When it comes to the age in which we’re reading to our children, book lovers will be pleased to see that 44% of parents pick up a book to engage their children in storytime from birth, while a further 27% of parents do so from under the age of two.

However, the study also revealed that 10% of adults today don’t remember reading their first book until they were in secondary school, resulting in parents 20% less likely to read to their child under the age of two. Alongside this, less than one in five parents that don’t recall reading until after the age of 12 will introduce reading to their own children from birth.

You can view the full study at: https://www.theworks.co.uk/theworks-blog/book-inspiration/the-first-book-we-remember.html

World Book Day takes place on Thursday March 7, 2024. The Works are supporting the charity and are encouraging children and parents to bring their £1 book token into stores between February 15 and March 31 to exchange their token for a book from the World Book Day 2024 range.

You can find out further information here: https://www.theworks.co.uk/page/world-book-day.html

A Round Up of Great 2023 Books

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My Murder Katie Williams

I adored this smart speculative thriller. It’s original and lots of fun. This is in development by Archewell, Prince Harry and Meghan’s production company. This brilliant book is a about a woman who is murdered, brought back to life as a clone, and then solves her own murder. A must read.

The Returned Amanda Cassidy

This book had me completely hooked. It is about a woman who is told her son died in a fire, only for her son to seemingly come back to life decades later. A detective is called back to her hometown and the memories she left behind. It was smart and full of stunning prose. Amanda Cassidy is a writer to watch. I rarely reread a book but The Returned has earned a place on my book shelf. Cassidy is a stunning voice in Irish crime fiction. This book is disturbing and twisty. Leaving me hooked from the first page.

The Miraculous Sweetmakers: The Frost Fair Natasha Hastings

This dazzling historical fantasy novel sweeps you up to a beautiful world. Natasha Hastings is a stunning writer. This middle grade novel is heartwarming and perfectly written. My children aren’t quite old enough for it yet, but I loved it. I can’t wait for the follow up next year.

It’s winter, 1683, and the Great Frost has swept into London. By day, thirteen-year-old Thomasina and her friend Anne peddle sweets on the frozen river, hearing rumors of the magical Frost Fair that awakens there at night. They say if you can find it, Father Winter himself will grant any wish you have. And Thomasina has an impossible wish: the return of her twin brother, whose death left her family fractured.

Unfortunately Yours Tessa Bailey

I love Tessa Bailey and these two characters from Secretly Yours were my favourite and I could not wait for the sequel. I was not disappointed. This enemies-to-lovers story fizzles with chemistry and racy sex scenes. It is fun and heartfelt as Natalie and August find their way to each other.

The Last List of Mabel Beaumont Laura Pearson

This book about an eighty-something woman who’s husband dies and then she decides to tick of his last list. It says Find D. Mabel decides to find their old friend Dot. What follows is a heartwarming story with great characters. Fantastic.

Nineteen Steps Millie Bobby Brown

I loved this historical fiction novel from the star of stranger things. While there was some controversy around the ghostwriting, it is a fantastic and immersive novel based on Millie’s grandmother’s story. I loved the ending.

The American Boyfriend Ivy Ngeow

The American Boyfriend has all of the hallmarks of a great thriller. Fantastic characters, a great location (Florida) and a plot that keeps you guessing. This pacy book is full of great moments. I loved the ending. Just brilliant.

The Shallows Holly Craig

The Shallows was definitely one of my favourite books of 2023. I could not put it down. Everything from the plot to the characters is pitch perfect. It’s a brave and wild ride.

Emma and Ariella, neighbours in one of Sydney’s most exclusive suburbs, appear to have it all—perfect homes, perfect husbands, perfect lives. But they both know dark secrets lurk beneath the surface and shallow waters can’t hide Ariella’s. Now she has been found murdered.

One More Chapter escapes to the Highlands with four new romantic mysteries from Kindle bestselling author Julie Shackman

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HarperCollins division One More Chapter has acquired four new titles in Julie Shackman’s bestselling Scottish Escapes series. 

Senior commissioning editor Jennie Rothwell acquired World All Language rights from Selwa Anthony at Selwa Anthony Literary Agnecy in a four-book deal, that sees The Bookshop by the Loch publish in Spring 2024.

The first title in the series, A Secret Scottish Escape, published in 2021 and has been a bestselling novel for the division. Collectively the series has now sold over 100k across all formats, with The Cottage in the Highlands having published on 1st December.

The Bookshop by the Loch follows book lover Lexie who is bereft when she discovers that her beloved local bookshop is up for sale. Desperate to save the shop, she takes things into her own hands, but not everyone is happy with her enthusiasm. And when the owner’s nephew Tobias arrives on the scene with some ideas of his own, the two are not happy at the prospect of having to work together…

Jennie Rothwell says: “I absolutely love working with Julie, her writing is uplifting and provides much needed escapism, and I love the balance of romance and mystery that she brings to her readers. I’m incredibly proud of what Julie has achieved in such a short space of time and can’t wait to continue working with her and watching her brand grow as she continues to find new readers.”

Julie Shackman says: “I am thrilled and delighted to be continuing my writing journey with the amazing One More Chapter. They are a first-rate team and it really is just like being part of one big happy family. I can’t wait to bring more romance and mystery to the readers with my Scottish Escapes series!”

 

‘Little Cat and Friends’ : Book Series a ‘Purr-fectly’ Wonderful Way to Help Children Struggling to Read

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‘My daughter loves these books. From the moment they were in her hands she was excited. I have read them to her numerous times now.’ Catherine Yardley. 

Author Anna Emilia got her first cat at the age of thirty. The special relationship that ensued was the inspiration behind her series, ‘Little Cat and Friends’, which is both an ode to her cat Molina and also a vital addition to any educator’s playbook. Anna struggled with reading as a child, and she is uniquely aware of how children learn and crucially, what keeps their attention.
little cat and friends book

Utilizing a variety of fonts and colours, the books contain simple, child-like conversations and questions, designed to help parents address a number of topics, from siblings to adoption and more. They are also just plain fun to read, with words that jiggle up and down, whimsical illustrations and stories that will delight children and parents alike.

Synopses:

‘The Little Cat’
The Little Cat has a new Mummy and a new home. Join her as she gets herself into some tricky situations while exploring her new surroundings. She’s so excited. Will she ever be able to settle down and go to sleep? This simple and appealing story will delight young children, especially those with a new pet.

‘Making Friends’

Little Cat has a new Mummy and a new home. Now she needs to go outside and make some friends. Will she find any? Follow Little Cat’s adventures as she looks to explore her new world and finds out what her new name will be. Will she like it? A simple yet delightful tale about exploring, meeting new people, gaining confidence and making friends.

‘Tiny Kitten’
Molina is surprised when a new brother arrives. She decides she won’t like him and is very sad until she helps Mummy choose his name. When her friends come to visit, they love her brother. Will she learn to love him too? A charming story about dealing with change and how first impression aren’t always right.

“When I struggled to read, there weren’t a lot of tools out there to help,” says Anna. “These books would have been an absolute treat for me. For any parents who have children with dyslexia or other learning difficulties, I suggest using your child’s own pet or perhaps a favourite toy as a reading buddy. This helps build confidence. I also think that as you read to your children, you should consciously make mistakes. Explain to your children that making mistakes is absolutely okay – and it’s a natural part of reading and of life. This will help your child realize that their own mistakes aren’t the end of the world. In fact, they might start to relish the effort of learning to read. Once you take away the fear of failure, they will feel so much more confident and happy – just like Little Cat!”

Readers – both big and small – have been entranced with the series since its inception.

“A beautiful book, The Little Cat is absolutely loved by my 3 year old boy Emile. Utterly charming and beautifully illustrated, it is an everyday bedtime story book in our household,” writes Delphine.

Ben agrees, writing, “All my children love the stories and the pictures, very colourful and easy to read, they can’t put the books down!”

All three books in the ‘Little Cat and Friends’ series are available now from Waterstones, Amazon, and all leading bookshops as well as the author’s own website:

https://www.littlecatandfriends.com/shop/

Anna Emilia is passionate about helping children become confident with reading. Her series, ‘Little Cat and Friends’ was born from her own struggle with reading as a child, and from the love she has for her own cats.

 

The 5 Books That Changed Me by Jane Lambert

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‘Rebecca’ by Daphne du Maurier: My mum gave me this book when I was about 15.

As a shy, gauche teenager I identified with the second Mrs de Winter. Her story taught me to not always take situations or people at face value, that being shy is not a sign of weakness, not to compare myself to others and to be true to myself.  

‘Bridget Jones’s Diary’ by Helen Fielding: Like Bridget, I used to want to be in a meaningful relationship, but would fall for the wrong guys. I eventually learned that I deserved better, to have self-respect and to stop putting up with bad behaviour – just as Bridget did. I too can be clumsy and say the wrong thing at the wrong time. Bridget taught me to laugh at myself and that I’m okay just as I am. 

‘The Understudy’ by David Nicholls: I was drawn to this book as I have been an understudy many (too many!) times. Though fiction, the authenticity of the narrative made me wonder if the writer was, or had been an actor. I was right, and it is his personal story which inspired me to take my writing more seriously and to aim high. As an actor you’re dependent on someone hiring you. You have no control. As a writer you produce your own work. It’s rewarding to be part of something you have created. I have ‘The Understudy’ to thank for leading me to David Nicholls, who set me on an alternative and more enriching creative path. 

‘The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time’ by Mark Haddon: This book had a huge effect on me. The story is told through the eyes of 15-year-old Christopher, whose inability to tell lies, social awkwardness and logical take on the world give you an insight into being on the autistic spectrum and the effect it has on those around you. I could identify with some of Christopher’s thoughts, such as: “I find people confusing” and “I want my name to mean me.” Christopher’s story gave me an appreciation of how being “different” brings its own special gifts and should be celebrated. I was lucky enough to be involved in the London stage production.  I was lucky enough to be involved in the London stage production.

‘Big Magic’ by Elizabeth Gilbert: “The universe buries strange jewels deep within us all, and then stands back to see if we can find them.” When I was writing my first novel there was an annoying voice whispering in my ear that it was a waste of time. Who did I think I was? JK Rowling? ‘Big Magic’ taught me to believe in myself and not let fear stand in my way. Thanks to this book, I have learned to live alongside fear so I may strive to be better, but not let it control my mind. This has helped me in my acting career too. I still suffer occasionally from ‘Imposter Syndrome’, but dipping into this book gives me a dose of self-belief and puts me back on the right track. 

♥

The Patient by Jane Shemilt Book Review

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I tend to judge the success of a book on how long I remember it after I have finished reading it. I could not stop thinking about The Patient after I read it. I sometimes still do, months later.

Jane Shemilt brings her characters to life so vividly it is hard to believe they are not real. You become so engaged with them they feel like friends, or people you know and do not like. Ha. The Patient is a superb psychological thriller but it is also a beautiful love story. Complex and multi-layered, it will keep you gripped all the way to the end with a twist you won’t see coming. One of my favourite books of the year. A must-read.

When Rachel meets Luc, the attraction is instant.
But she is a doctor, and he is her patient.
She gives him the drugs he needs – but in doing so, risks everything.
And when a secret is exposed, they’re both in the firing line.
Not all patients are telling the truth.

Deadly Cure by Mari Cheshire Book Review

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Deadly Cure is Grey’s Anatomy gone very wrong, and that is why this bumper of a book is to be devoured. Who doesn’t love a good friends turn frenemies story? Using her medical knowledge, Dr Mari Cheshire has written a book which takes medicine and rivalry, added in a dollop of a love story, and turned it all into a brilliant book that is impossible to put down. I loved this book and I read it as quickly as I could. I loved the characters. This thriller is pacy and fun. A dazzling and unique debut.

Deadly Cure Mahi Cheshire

THE HIPPOCRATIC OATH: FIRST, DO NO HARM…

Dr Rea Dharmasena is devastated when she loses out on her dream research job to her med-school rival and best friend, Dr Julia Stone.

To add insult to injury, Julia used Rea’s own cutting-edge research to get it.

But just as Rea finds it in her to forgive the betrayal, Julia, after a life-changing medical discovery, is found dead.

Despite finding herself caught up in a murder investigation and a complicated new romance, Rea is finally happy; she has the dream job she’s always wanted.

But at what cost?

Perfect for fans of The Silent Patient and The Holiday, this is a heart-stopping thriller of betrayal, secrets and ruthless ambition that will leave you breathless.